NFL ROUNDUP | News and notes

Browns: Rookie wide receiver Brandon Rideau, an undrafted free agent from Kansas, was promoted to Cleveland's active roster Tuesday when the Browns placed cornerback Gary Baxter on the injured list. Rideau was brought up from the practice squad to take the place of Baxter, who is out for the season after tearing a pectoral muscle in Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions and undergoing surgery. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Rideau was the biggest surprise of Cleveland's training camp. He made the team at the club's deepest position before being placed on the practice squad. He finished the exhibition season with seven catches for 84 yards. The Browns also signed linebacker Clifton Smith to the practice squad. The 6-3, 267-pounder spent the past two seasons with the Washington Redskins. Baxter was one of Cleveland's biggest off-season acquisitions, signing a six-year, $30 million free agent contract in March. He finished the season with 20 tackles and two interceptions.
49ers: Cornerback Willie Middlebrooks was re-signed Tuesday and center Norm Katnik was sent back to the practice squad. The 49ers acquired Middlebrooks from the Denver Broncos during the preseason in a trade for defensive end John Engelberger. He was among the 49ers' final cuts, but was re-signed on Sept. 28. Middlebrooks hurt his groin, and San Francisco released him again before last Sunday's game against Washington so Katnik, a second-year pro from Southern California, could be elevated from the practice squad to be a backup lineman.
Eagles: With Pro Bowler David Akers still recovering from a hamstring injury, Philadelphia claimed Jose Cortez off waivers from Dallas on Tuesday. They released Todd France, who had been doing the kicking for them. Cortez was waived by the Cowboys on Monday after missing a 29-yard field goal attempt in a 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The six-year veteran had hit 12-of-16 field goal attempts and 13-of-14 extra point attempts this year for the Cowboys. He booted a game-winning 45-yard field goal in overtime against the New York Giants earlier this month. France was 6-of-7 on field goals this year and perfect on five extra-point attempts. His lone miss came when his first career field goal attempt was blocked by the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. Eagles coach Andy Reid said Monday he expects Akers back in the next week or two.
Vikings: Defense tackle Kevin Williams was placed on a year's probation and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct in a domestic dispute. Williams, who entered his plea Tuesday in Hennepin County District Court, acknowledged having a loud argument with his wife, Tasha, at their Minnetonka home in August. Williams was also ordered to undergo counseling.
Colts: Cornerback Donald Strickland and defensive end Nathaniel Adibi were waived Tuesday. Both players had been placed on injured reserve and would have missed the rest of the season. Strickland was a third-round pick out of Colorado in 2003, but has been slowed by injuries throughout his career. Colts coaches expected Strickland to compete for a starting job at training camp this year, but he missed most of camp and all of the preseason with a hamstring injury. He started the season opener against Baltimore, but aggravated the injury and was placed on injured reserve Sept. 14. Adibi signed as a free agent during the offseason but was slowed by a shoulder injury and was placed on injured reserve Aug. 12.
Cardinals: Wide receiver-kick returner J.J. Moses was re-signed on Tuesday. The move came one day after the surprise release of wide receiver Charles Lee, who was the team's No. 4 receiver with 11 catches for 152 yards. The Cardinals had claimed Moses off waivers from the Chicago Bears on Aug. 30, but released him six days later. The 5-foot-6, 175-pound Moses appeared in 30 games over the last two seasons as the punt returner and kick returner for the Houston Texans.
Titans: Tennessee agreed to terms with wide receiver Sloan Thomas on Tuesday, moving him from the practice squad to the active roster to help relieve a shortage of healthy receivers. The Titans (2-5) released receiver Andrae Thurman after he violated team rules and to make room for running back Travis Henry, who is returning from a four-game suspension. Brandon Jones had tests on his sore right knee, and Drew Bennett will be out against Oakland (2-4) on Sunday. That leaves the Titans with five receivers, including Thomas, if Jones is able to play. Coach Jeff Fisher said Monday the team was considering bumping up Thomas. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound receiver joined the Titans' practice squad after being waived by Houston in training camp. At the University of Texas, he had 88 catches for 1,362 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Associated Press